COLOURS European University Alliance

🌍 Exciting Updates from The First COLOURS Annual Conference! 🌍 We would like to share a special moment from the First COLOURS Annual Conference, highlighting our discussions on innovation and collaboration across European universities. 🎓✨ This conference was enriched by insights from our distinguished speakers, including Member of the European Parliament Mrs. Sunčana Glavak One of the most important points emphasized was the need for strengthened partnerships to tackle shared challenges in education, research, and sustainable development across Europe. Check out the video below to see how we’re building partnerships and advancing education and research across Europe! 🇪🇺💡 - - - - - #COLOURSConference #EUInnovation #FutureOfEducation #EuropeanParliament #Collaboration

The First COLOURS Annual Conference Day 2, dedicated to Collaborative COLOURS Progress, was facilitating the strengthening of connections among nine committed Alliance Universities to enhance partnerships for completion of planned activities in the coming period. Focused on enhancement of collaborative efforts, the Conference day was filled with productive meetings, building up stronger ties and sharing of ideas within our vibrant community. One of the most vivid parts of the Conference Day 2 was Creator’s Corner – a series of creative workshops designed to inspire, challenge and engage students and Conference participants. These sessions brought in fresh perspectives that encouraged participants to think outside the box and envision the future of COLOURS Alliance. A heartfelt gratitude is extended to Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek and the COLOURS Conference Organising Committee, as well as to the COLOURS Coordination and Support Office of the Paderborn University for executing this event with dedication and care. With this Conference, we have taken a significant step towards assurance of a strong European University Alliance partnership for the future. COLOURS is surely contributing to innovation and real progress in society! Sveučilište 'Josipa Jurja Strossmayera' u Osijeku Paderborn University Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola Kristianstad University Le Mans Université Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Uniwersytet Jana Długosza w Częstochowie Università degli Studi di Ferrara - - - - - #COLOURS, #COLOURSEUA, #COLOURSAlliance, #EuropeanUniversities #annualconference

We are excited to share the immense success of the First COLOURS Annual Conference held in Osijek, Croatia, on 24-25 October 2024! Hosted by Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek in collaboration with the COLOURS Coordination and Support Office of the Paderborn University, this conference gathered participants of all COLOURS partner universities, students, representatives of the city and county government and other project stakeholders. The conference was launched with an inspiring opening speeches and welcome remarks delivered by Professor Vlado Guberac, Rector of the University of Osijek, Professor Krunoslav Zmaić, Dean of Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Mrs. Jasenka Crnković, Deputy Mayor of the City of Osijek, Mrs. Miranda Glavaš Kul, Head of the Administrative Department for Education and Youth of the Osijek-Baranja County and Professor Torsten Meier,Vice-President of the Paderborn University and President of COLOURS European University Alliance. The Conference Day 1 was dedicated to Smart Specialisation Strategies and Student Talent Development facilitated through engaging workshops and collaborative sessions. A lively panel discussion featured members of our External Advisory Board, Professor Richard Holliman, Professor Giga Zedania, Fabrizio Bitetto, and Professor Caroline Robertson-von Trotha, who discussed innovation potentials with COLOURS students. The keynote speech, given by Denis Susac Sušac, CEO of Mono Software Ltd. Osijek, provided valuable insights into the company’s growth, its contributions to the local community prosperity, and its partnership with the University of Osijek. We were delighted to welcome representatives from three distinguished European University Alliances — YUFE Alliance , EU-CONEXUS, and European Digital UniverCity - EDUC — who enriched our discussions by sharing their own experiences and expertise in developing cooperation among alliances to fulfill European objectives in higher education development. A special highlight of the Conference was the COLOURS Hymn, performed by the talented students of the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, conducted by Professor Antoaneta Radočaj-Jerković. This unforgettable performance added a festive touch to the Conference, underscoring the unity of our colourful Alliance. The Conference Day 1 concluded with a memorable Conference Dinner, where guests enjoyed great food, music and dancing, building connections and celebrating the results of the COLOURS Alliance achieved so far. Sveučilište 'Josipa Jurja Strossmayera' u Osijeku Paderborn University Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola Kristianstad University Le Mans Université Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Uniwersytet Jana Długosza w Częstochowie Università degli Studi di Ferrara - - - - - #COLOURS, #COLOURSEUA, #COLOURSAlliance, #EuropeanUniversities

COLOURS Alliance Field Study: Innovation and Growth in Osijek! We recently embarked on an inspiring field study in Osijek, Croatia, to visit Jabil Inc. and the BIOS Business Incubator – two outstanding examples of innovation and entrepreneurship driving regional economic growth. Jabil is a leading global provider of design, manufacturing, and logistics solutions, playing a pivotal role in advancing smart specialisation in information technology (IT) and digitalisation. Jabil not only strengthens community ties but also fosters a culture of social responsibility among its workforce. Through its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, Jabil Inc. lead the way in transforming industries and contributing to the well-being of its employees and the communities it serves. Our second stop was at the BIOS Business Incubator, a key player in Osijek’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. BIOS provides affordable office spaces and a vibrant, innovation-driven community for startups and SMEs in fields such as ICT, multimedia, and biotechnology. By supporting new technologies and the commercialization of scientific research, BIOS helps build a sustainable and innovative future for Slavonia and Baranja. Visits like these offer invaluable insights into smart specialization, digital transformation, and economic growth. They enable participants to engage with industry leaders, gain a first-hand understanding of innovation practices, and build connections that may shape the future of our region. We wrapped up our incredible day with a delightful dinner at Recorate Osijek, followed by a captivating night tour of Osijek led by an exceptional guide. The city's charm truly came alive under the evening lights, making for an unforgettable experience for all partners of the COLOURS Alliance. Sveučilište 'Josipa Jurja Strossmayera' u Osijeku Paderborn University Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola Kristianstad University Le Mans Université Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Uniwersytet Jana Długosza w Częstochowie Università degli Studi di Ferrara - - - - - #COLOURS, #COLOURSEUA, #COLOURSAlliance, #EuropeanUniversities #fieldstudy #smartspecialization

Preparations for The First COLOURS Annual Conference are in full swing! Join us at the Creators' Corner, where innovation meets creativity! Get ready for an interactive experience with workshops designed to inspire, challenge, and engage: Le Mans Université: Future of Hydrogen – Explore how hydrogen can power our future in a sustainable and innovative way.   Kristianstad University: Crazy Challenge – Solve a Challenge with Impossible Materials – Test your creativity and problem-solving skills with unconventional materials!   University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola: Mishmash Booth – Let's motivate, inspire and build the community by creating something original! Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek: Step into Tomorrow – Feel Aging in Action – Experience the science of aging through interactive simulations that put you in the shoes of tomorrow.   STUDENTS: COLOURS Students Cuisine – students will highlight concerns they face regarding alimentation, living conditions and access to healthy food. Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek: Colourful Linguistic Diversity – Let's Put Positive Words Together! – Celebrate the beauty of language and create a positive tapestry of expressions from around the world.   Whether you're a student, educator, or innovator, there’s something for everyone. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and create! #COLOURS, #COLOURSEUA, #COLOURSAlliance, #EuropeanUniversities #innovations #creatorscorner

Values of universities, the present and future of the alliances … The 9th Rectors’s forum for Southeast Europe and Western Balkans, hosted by by our COLOURS European University Alliance and University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola has produced fruitful discussions and perspectives. Some of them even multimedial! >>>> Check out the playlist with statements, opinions and the hidden gem-performance! Paderborn University Torsten Meier EUTOPIA YUFE Alliance University of Ljubljana Ivan Svetlik Renata Petrevska Nechkoska Igor Nedelkovski Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. DI. PDoc. Agron Bajraktari, MSc., MBA @ivo colak University Džemal Bijedić Mostar @Snježana Prijić-Samaržija Janusz Kapusniak Jan Długosz University, Częstochowa, Poland Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Katja Cerar European University Association And numerours universities and presidents who participated in Bitola. Thank you https://lnkd.in/dpiq7sG3

Meet our last speaker 𝘙𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘦𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘨𝘭𝘶 from Paderborn University. An electrical engineering student with a passion for hands-on work, originally from Turkey, left his knife-making workshop behind when he moved to Germany. Missing the creative process, he brought his sewing machine to his dorm and began sewing more. And the rest is history. In this hands-on workshop 𝘚𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘖𝘓𝘖𝘜𝘙𝘚, we’ll promote sustainability and fight consumerism through simple hand-sewing techniques. Participants will learn to repair and upcycle, starting with creating a personalized passport cover adorned with a "COLOURS" patch. Join us on 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙊𝙇𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙎 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 in reducing waste and embracing the Green Transition! #COLOURS #COLOURSEUA #COLOURSAlliance #EuropeanUniversities #greentransition

Here is our pretty universal guide to CoSpace! Collaboration space as the intersection of COLOURS European University Alliance academic, business, governmental and civil society partners to co-create with staff and students around problems, challenges, missions! Paderborn University University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola Le Mans Université Sveučilište 'Josipa Jurja Strossmayera' u Osijeku Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha Uniwersytet Jana Długosza w Częstochowie University of Ferrara Kristianstad University Ventspils Augstskola / Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and partners! Torsten Meier Janusz Kapusniak Tea Fijala Igor Nedelkovski Jove Dimitrija Talevski Renata Petrevska Nechkoska https://lnkd.in/dJ9inSxv

𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘊𝘭é𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 recently earned her master's degree in Human and Social Sciences, majoring in Sociology and Anthropology, from the University of Tours in 2023. During her academic journey, she specialized in gender issues and the inclusion of people with disabilities, producing two impactful dissertations: one on the professionalization of doulas, and the other on the social integration of individuals with Down's syndrome. At university, Coline actively worked to improve student life, particularly during the pandemic, by supporting isolated students and advocating for the inclusion of those with disabilities. In May 2024, Coline joined the Le Mans Université as a project manager in the Gender Equality Mission. She is also involved in two key initiatives: the European NEXUS project and COLOURS, where she serves as the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) officer. Coline will be joined by 𝘓𝘢ï𝘭𝘪 𝘋𝘰𝘳, a lecturer in English literature at LMU and Head of the English Studies Department. Laïli is deeply involved in promoting gender equality, inclusion of students with disabilities, and supporting students from migrant backgrounds. She also teaches an undergraduate course on discrimination awareness. Together, in the workshop 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨: 𝘍𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺, they will showcase the power of intersectoral collaboration in advancing gender equality and well-being at universities through partnerships with local organizations. #COLOURS, #COLOURSEUA, #COLOURSAlliance, #EuropeanUniversities #genderequality

It has officially started! The tradition of the Global Virtual Teams course now embodies the COLOURS European University Alliance partners and master students from six universities, as intensive and progressive microcredential! Cheers to all the students, mentors and our hosts from Paderborn University! University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola Ventspils Augstskola / Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Université Clermont Auvergne University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (UCT Prague) Tampere University of Applied Sciences @Rachel Lindner Pascal Brassier @Jana Zverinova Renata Petrevska Nechkoska Emmanuel Abruquah Elīza Cimdiņa